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The Grand Canal of China is the oldest and longest man-made canal in the world, far surpassing the next two grand canals of the world: Suez and Panama Canal. The canal is also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, and was a giant irrigation project of ancient China. The canal has been of great importance for over 2,000 years and has a length of 1,794 kilometers. In fact, it is one of the two great engineering marvels of ancient China, the other being the Great Wall. Today it is a popular tourist attraction, visited by both local and international travelers, as it is a rich cultural site...
Jiangsu Overview
As one of the hottest tourist destinations in China, Jiangsu boasts the most historical and cultural attractions, which range from centuries-old arts and crafts, tea plantations, and ancient cities to refined imperial cuisine and treasured Buddhist sites. Currently China has two UNESCO Intangible World Heritage listings, one of them being Jiangsu's incomparable Kun Opera...
Jiangsu Citys
Nanjing, which in Mandarin means Southern Capital, has been China's political center during various periods throughout the nation's history. Most famously, during the Ming Dynasty (1368 and 1644), Nanjing was the capital of China and in 1928 the Chinese Nationalist Government headed by Chiang Kai-shek moved the capital to Nanjing, where it remained until 1949 when Beijing became the capital after the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Many of the city's historical sites are from these periods, such as the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Ming Tombs, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The majestic walls that surround Nanjing are the longest of their kind in the world and the Zhonghua Gate, "Chinese Gate", is a popular tourist attraction.
Suzhou is known as the Venice of the Orient and is renowned for its beautiful stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed classical gardens. In fact, 42% of the city is covered by water, which includes a vast number of ponds and streams in addition to the city's numerous canals. At present, more than 60 gardens are maintained in Suzhou, and a number of them, including the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Garden of the Master of Nets, and the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Suzhou has also been an important center for China's silk industry since the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and continues to hold that prominent position today. Suzhou is located in the center of the Yangtze Delta, in the south of Jiangsu Province, with the Yangtze River to the north.
Wuxi is outstanding for its natural beauty and scenic spots, including Tai Lake, Lihu Lake Park, the eco-friendly Yixing with its intriguing caves, bamboo forests, tea plantations, Jiangyin, and the birth-place of the great geographer and traveler Xu Xiake.
Changzhou, once called Dragon City, has a history of over 3,000 years, and is a place where Old China's traditions and ways of life can still be seen. Over the centuries Changzhou has cultivated and maintained a reputation of being a cultural and intellectual center. During the time of the imperial exams, from the Sui Dynasty (581-618) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), Changzhou churned out a record 1,546 candidates who successfully passed and went on to became some of China's greatest scholars. Hugging the banks of the Grand Canal, which for over a thousand years has been one of the region's bustling trade route, the small city is a lively place where the quiet, narrow lanes and Buddhist temples of old China are only a few steps away from the business center.
Many legends connected to the landscape in Zhenjiang have given an aura of mystery to this ancient city. There are also a great number of cultural relics and historical spots located in Zhenjiang. In modern times Zhenjiang is a bustling city with a booming economy. With its natural beauty and history it has become a very popular destination for travelers in China. Zhenjiang sits on the southern bank of the Yangtze River and borders the provincial capital city of Nanjing as well as Changzhou and Yangzhou.
Today Yangzhou is a charming town with broad, tree-lined boulevards and a network of canals and lakes. Known for its folk handicrafts, unique cuisine, and memorable landmarks, Yangzhou certainly has enough to keep visitors occupied for a couple of days. Yangzhou is the ideal place to experience unique aspects of Chinese culture, and is a relaxing break from other overly developed and commercialized urban centers in the region.
Xuzhou is the oldest city in Jiangsu Province and is one of the best places in China to get a glimpse into the culture and history of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). With ancient Han tombs, terracotta warriors similar to the ones found in Xi'an, a distinctive cuisine, and numerous museums, Xuzhou offers travelers from both China and abroad an opportunity to deepen their knowledge about China's culture.
Nantong, known as a Pearl of the River and Sea, is a charming city located in the mid-coastal region of mainland China, in Jiangsu Province. The city has a history that began in the Han Dynasty, and in fact Nantong's origins can be traced to an even more ancient time, as primitive clans first inhabited this area over 5,000 years ago. Nantong was a model of progress at the start of the 20th century, and its downtown boasts a rich collection of historic architecture from this period. A network of tree-lined canals weaves through the city center, where modern skyscrapers are juxtaposed with charming turn-of-the century buildings. Just off the hustle and bustle of the downtown, traditional homes stand on the quiet back streets, where the occasional flicker of a TV screen through a window is the only reminder of modern times.
Lianyungang is a coastal city in Jiangsu Province that has naturally evolved into a beach resort, as the mountains standing right on the edge of the sea make a stunning environment for travelers to relax and unwind. In fact, Lianyungang is the only beach resort in Jiangsu. Imposing mountains and a refreshing seascape, combined with fascinating historical points of interest and a moderate climate, make Lianyungang one of China's 49 key tourist destinations and one of the three biggest nature reserves in Jiangsu. In the 1680s, the Qing Dynasty government decreed that Lianyungang be one of the first fourteen coastal cities in China to open up to foreign trade. Today Lianyungang attracts tourists and business travelers from all over the world and has in fact been listed as one of fifty select destinations for travelers.
Huai'an, which in Mandarin means Everlasting Peace of the Huai River, is located on the Subei Plain of Jiangsu Province. The name Huai'an first brings to mind China's beloved Zhou Enlai, the First Premier of the People's Republic of China. Zhou was born in Huai'an and lived there for 12 years of his childhood. The Zhou Enlai Memorial now stands on the site of the former residence of the Zhou family and has become one of the city's major landmarks. In its 2,000 or more years of history, Huai'an has been the hometown of other Chinese notables, including the militarist Han Xin of the Han Dynasty, Wu Cheng'en, author of the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West, and the noted Beijing Opera actor Zhou Xinfang. Huai'an is also known for Hongze Lake and being the place where the imperial Huaiyang cuisine originated, which is noted for its sweet, light taste.
Suqian is a city with a history of 2,500 years but the earliest use of the town's current name was in 762 A.D. during the Tang Dynasty. Later, this prefecture jurisdiction and the name were changed and abandoned many times upon the replacement of dynasties. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1945, Suqian was restored as a county and the current jurisdiction as a prefecture city was established in 1996.
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[2009-06-26]
